Method and system for processing a photographic film

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a camera including a writer adapted to couple information to a film in use in the camera, the information relating to an ISO rating setting for a particular image captured by the camera. The invention also relates to photographic processing system, comprising reading means to identify from magnetic information stored on a film to be processed the ISO rating setting at which images on the film were captured and a developer stage to receive the film to be developed. The photographic processing system also includes a control unit to select a development time for the film in dependence on the identified ISO rating setting. The invention enables optimisation of image quality to be achieved.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for processing aphotographic film and in particular to a method and system forprocessing a photographic film that enables optimisation of imagesobtained from the film. The invention also relates to a camera thatenables optimisation of captured images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ISO rating of a film defines the speed of the film, which allows thecamera or photographer to choose a combination of aperture and shutterspeed to give optimum exposure. In conventional camera systems, the ISOrating of the film used in the camera is conveyed to the camera via DXcoding or other suitable means, such as in the APS system or manuallyset by the photographer. This is done in anticipation that the film willbe processed in a standard process such as the Kodak C41 industrystandard process or an equivalent having a specified development time.Processing systems running such processes are fixed in development timeby a combination of path-length through the developer tank of theprocessing system and transport speed of the film as it passes throughthe developer tank.

Novel processing systems have been developed which use a single tank andbatch chemistry rather than tank chemistry, with removal of spentchemicals prior to injection into the processor of the subsequentchemistry stage. The system disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2002/0061195, published May 23, 2002 in the name ofEastman Kodak Company, is an example of such a processing system. Thissystem uses a cylindrical rotating tank in which a roller urges a waveof chemicals over the surface of a film being processed as thecylindrical tank rotates. The development time in such a processingsystem is not fixed like the development time in tank processors.Indeed, the development time can vary substantially and is controlled bysoftware, which decides when to remove developer and replace it with thenext chemistry, such as a bleaching agent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,204discloses an exposure control apparatus and various accompanying methodsfor improving the overall quality of photographic images. The qualityimprovement is attained through user selection of a desired display sizeand/or focal length photographing mode for each image to be capturedfollowed by an optimisation, for that size and mode, of variousphotographic parameters.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

A problem exists in that sometimes a camera is used in situations when adifferent ISO rating would be preferable to the one that the film in usein the camera has been designed for. In such situations it is desirableto use a different ISO rating setting to capture an image, but if thisis done, when the film is processed using a conventional processingmethod and system, the processing is not optimised and image quality isdegraded.

A method and system is required that enables the image quality of outputimages from the system to be optimised.

A camera is also required that provides a user with the ability toselect an ISO rating setting for use with a film to ensure optimisationof captured images without adversely affecting the quality of theprocessed images obtained from the film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda camera adapted to couple data such as magnetic information to a filmin use in the camera, the data relating to an ISO rating setting for thewhole film or the ISO rating setting for a particular image captured bythe camera.

Preferably, the camera further comprises user operable selection meansto enable a user to select a desired ISO rating setting for the film.

More preferably, the user operable selection means comprises a dialarranged on the camera-casing, selectively rotatable between a pluralityof predetermined positions each of the positions corresponding to apredetermined ISO rating setting. Any other suitable user operableselection means could also be used. For example, a Liquid CrystalDisplay arranged on the camera casing in combination with a toggleswitch could be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda photographic processing system comprising reading means to identifyfrom magnetic information stored on a film to be processed the ISOrating setting at which images on the film were captured.

The system includes a developer stage to receive the film to bedeveloped and a control unit to select a development time for the filmin dependence on the identified ISO rating setting. The reading meansincludes a magnetic detector to read the magnetic information stored onthe film and provide an identification signal indicative of the ISOrating setting used for the film to the control unit.

Preferably, the control unit comprises a microprocessor. In one example,the microprocessor is arranged to receive the identification signalindicative of the ISO rating setting used for the film and/or individualexposures (captured images) and retrieve an appropriate development timefrom a look-up table of stored development time values.

Preferably, the processing system is a single-chamber processing systemin which the control unit is arranged to control the system such that,in use, after the development time elapses, the developer is removedfrom the processing chamber and a subsequent processing fluid, such as ableaching agent, is provided to said chamber.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of photographic processing, comprising the step of identifyingan ISO rating setting used for a film to be processed from stored data,such as magnetically stored data, on the film. The film is provided to adeveloper stage of a photographic processing system. The developmenttime for the film is controlled, automatically in dependence on theidentified ISO rating setting used for the film or individual exposureswithin the film.

Preferably, the step of identifying an ISO rating setting used for afilm to be processed comprises the steps of identifying an ISO ratingsetting used for each image captured on the film and calculating anaverage ISO rating setting for the film in dependence on the ISO ratingsetting identified for each of the captured images.

Preferably, the method further comprises, after the film has beendeveloped the steps of, digitally scanning the developed film andprinting an output image.

More preferably, the process image quality is further enhanced throughknowledge of film type, identified ISO rating setting and process (e.g.development) time used. Algorithms used to adjust digital file data forcontrast, brightness and colour factors may include terms to take intoaccount the variations in these factors resulting from variation in theprocess (development) time given to images which have been exposed in aknown variation from the normal exposure. Calculations are performedwith the algorithms to optimise image quality. The calculation occurs,preferably, within an output (e.g. printing) device associated with thedigital scanning operation.

In an alternative example, scanning of individual images may beoptimized in similar flexible mode according to the information,magnetically stored during image capture.

Advantageous Effect of the Invention

The invention provides a camera that is adapted to allow a user toselect and set a required ISO rating setting for each film or each imagecaptured. This in turn ensures that when the film is developed in aphotographic processing system, the quality of output images may beoptimised. In particular, by allowing a user to vary the ISO ratingsetting of a captured image and also ensuring that this information isstored and used during development, a customised development time can beselected automatically for each film processed, and optimised printingis provided. This ensures that the maximum possible image quality isobtained for the output images obtained from the developed film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the present invention will now be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first example of a photographic processing systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a camera according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a second example of a photographic processing systemaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a camera according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a first example of a photographic processing systemaccording to the present invention. The processing system 2 has adeveloper stage 4 to receive and develop exposed film 6, a bleach stage7 and a fixer stage 8 to receive developed film. After film has beenfixed in the fixer stage 8, it is coupled to a wash stage 10 for washingand then on to a dryer (not shown). A control system 11 is providedincluding a magnetic reader 12 and a control unit 14 coupled to themagnetic reader 12. The magnetic reader 12 is arranged to read magneticinformation stored on the film 6 to be processed and couple theinformation to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 receives theinformation, identifies the average ISO rating setting at which the filmwas used from the received information and provides a control signal tothe developer stage 4 to control the development time of the film independence on the identified ISO rating setting. In this example,adjusting the speed at which the film 6 passes through the developerstage 4 controls the development time. Alternatively, the path lengththrough the developer stage 4 may be adjusted with the use of, forexample, moveable path-defining rollers within the developer stage 4.

In the case of a single chamber processing system such as that describedin U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0061195 the extension ofthe development time is achieved by delaying the removal of developerfrom the chamber and the addition of bleach to the chamber. Shorteningof the development time is achieved by removing developer from thechamber earlier than would usually be done.

The present invention provides a system which is capable of changing thedevelopment time for a particular film in dependence on ISO ratingsetting information stored, for example, magnetically on the film at thetime the film was used and images were captured. For example, if a filmis rated at ISO 100, for a development time of 195 seconds, as in C-41,but a user finds that a higher speed setting is required, the presentinvention enables the user to set the ISO of the camera exposure systemas though the film were of higher speed, say ISO 400. This informationis recorded magnetically on the film. When the film is processed, theprocessing system reads the magnetic information and adjusts thedevelopment time to a new longer value, thereby optimizing image qualityfor the exposures given. As will be explained below, the developmenttime adjustment may be controlled using software.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a camera according to the present invention.The camera has all conventional aspects associated with cameras but inaddition has ISO rating selection means 16, in this case a dial. Otherexamples of ISO rating selection means include slide switches or anyother device capable of providing a selection function. The camera isadapted to be capable of writing magnetic information onto a film in usein the camera relating to the desired ISO rating setting for aparticular image, thereby allowing a user ISO rating setting control.

Any suitable method or display may be used to communicate the necessaryISO rating setting options to a user. For example, it may be done viasymbols indicative of the ambient surroundings e.g. sun, clouds etc, oralternatively it may be done via numbers depending on the cost andsophistication of the camera and the potential users preferences forknowledgeable control.

In an alternative example of the present invention, the camera isarranged to automatically adjust the ISO rating setting according tosurrounding conditions. For example, a film of nominal rating of ISO 100is inserted into the camera of the present invention. In normal lightingconditions and for normal snapshots, the exposure will be made accordingto ISO 100 needs for optimum exposure. However, should the lighting bepoor and focus is beyond the flash range, the camera is arranged toincrease automatically the ISO rating setting to assure a reasonableshutter speed/aperture combination. Alternatively, in circumstances ofgood lighting but where the user realizes that the shot being capturedis an action shot, the user selects an ACTION MODE on the camera whichthen causes the camera to use a faster shutter speed and adjust the ISOrating information written onto the film accordingly. In other words,the camera deliberately underexposes the scene up to predeterminedlimits. In this way separate frames are given a significant range ofunder exposure. The information about the ISO rating setting used foreach particular captured image is written and stored magnetically on thefilm.

In either of the examples described above, the film for processing nowcontains magnetically stored information relating to actual exposurelevels which information is read prior to film development. As the filmenters the photographic processing system shown in FIG. 1 or 3, prior todevelopment the stored magnetic data is read from the film. If a simplewhole-film under- or over-exposure is detected, a simple push-process isgiven. Alternatively, if a different under- or over-exposure is detectedfor each image on the film, an average ISO value is calculated and themost appropriate development time is selected for the whole film. Inboth cases, once the film is processed i.e. developed, and/or fixedand/or washed, the processed film is scanned and printed. Preferably,the film may be digitally printed at this stage.

As the film is printed, the magnetic information determined prior todevelopment is preferably used by printer algorithms to adjust thescanned digital file to correct for the known response of the film tounder- or over-exposure and development time. This may be done on animage by image basis. In other words, information stored magneticallyduring capture of the image relating to the ISO rating setting of thatimage is used to control the digital scanning of the image duringprinting. Knowledge of the exposure and process conditions (e.g.development time) is used to obtain optimized image quality. This ispossible because the information stored magnetically during imagecapture is used to determine the process conditions (e.g. developmenttime) of the film.

Since the magnetic information is read before scanning, the scanningparameters, as well as development time, may also be optimized forbetter image quality. A further advantage of the present invention isthat by reading the magnetic information before film processing, themagnetic readers are not rendered unreliable through accumulatedprocessing deposits.

FIG. 3 shows a second example of a photographic processing systemaccording to the present invention. In this case the processing systemis a single chamber processing system such as the system described inU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0061195. The system has aprocessing chamber 18 in the form of a cylindrical rotating tank inwhich a roller urges a wave of chemicals over the surface of a filmbeing processed as the cylindrical tank rotates. The development time iscontrolled by software, which, in dependence on the identified ISOrating setting of the film being processed, determines when to removedeveloper from the processing chamber 18 and replace it with the nextchemistry such as a bleaching agent. The system has a magnetic datareader 12 coupled to a control unit 14 such as a microprocessor. Thecontrol unit 14 is arranged to identify the ISO rating setting at whichthe film was used and from this calculate a suitable development timefor the film in the processing chamber 18 of the system.

In one example of the present invention, as well as or instead ofcoupling information directly to a film in use in the camera,information is coupled to the housing of the film. FIG. 4 shows aschematic representation of such an example. A film cartridge 20 isshown schematically within a camera 22. A writer 24, such as a magneticwriter or electronic writer is arranged to communicate with a contact 26positioned on the film cartridge 20. A user operable switch 28 isprovided on the camera to enable a user to select a desired ISO ratingsetting for a particular image.

Once a desired ISO rating setting for a particular image is selected,information relating to the ISO rating setting is written by the writer24 to a memory unit associated with the contact 26. In this example, theinformation is stored within the memory unit associated with the contact26, the memory unit also being arranged on the film cartridge 20. As inthe examples above, the control unit 14 within a suitably configuredprocessing system is arranged to calculate a suitable development timefor the film in the processing (developing) chamber of the system independence on the ISO rating settings at which images on the film werecaptured.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photographic processing system comprising:reading means to identify from magnetic information stored on a film tobe processed the ISO rating setting at which images on the film werecaptured; a developer stage to receive the film to be developed; and acontrol unit to select a development time for the film in dependence onthe identified ISO rating setting.
 2. A system according to claim 1, inwhich the reading means comprises a magnetic detector to read themagnetic information stored on the film and provide an identificationsignal indicative of the ISO rating setting used for the film to thecontrol unit.
 3. A system according to claim 2, in which the controlunit comprises a microprocessor.
 4. A system according to claim 3, inwhich the microprocessor is arranged to receive the identificationsignal indicative of the ISO rating setting used for the film andretrieve an appropriate development time from a look-up table of storeddevelopment time values.
 5. A system according to claim 1, in which thesystem is a single-chamber processing system and in which the controlunit is arranged to control the system such that, in use, after thedevelopment time elapses, the developer is removed from the processingchamber and a subsequent processing fluid is provided to said chamber.6. A method of photographic processing, comprising the steps of:identifying an ISO rating setting used for a film to be processed fromstored magnetic information on the film; providing the film to adeveloper stage of a photographic processing system; and automaticallycontrolling the development time for the film in dependence on theidentified ISO rating setting.
 7. A method according to claim 6, inwhich the step of identifying an ISO rating for a film to be processedcomprises the steps of: identifying an ISO rating setting for each imagecaptured on the film; and calculating an average ISO rating setting forthe film in dependence on the ISO ratings identified for each of thecaptured images.
 8. A method according to claim 6, further comprisingthe steps of: after the film has been developed, digitally scanning thedeveloped film and printing an output image.
 9. A method according toclaim 8, in which the digital scanning is controlled in accordance withexposure and development conditions.
 10. A method according to claim 8,in which the output image is digitally printed.
 11. A method accordingto claim 8, in which the file obtained from the digital scanning of thedeveloped film is adjusted with the use of a printing algorithm, theprinting algorithm being optimized in dependence on the identified ISOrating setting.
 12. A method of photographic processing, comprising thesteps of: identifying an ISO rating setting used for a film to beprocessed from stored data on the film; providing the film to adeveloper stage of a photographic processing system; and automaticallycontrolling the development time for the film in dependence on theidentified ISO rating setting.
 13. A photographic processing systemcomprising: reading means to identify from data stored on a film to beprocessed the ISO rating setting at which images on the film werecaptured; a developer stage to receive the film to be developed; and acontrol unit to select a development time for the film in dependence onthe identified ISO rating setting.
 14. A system according to claim 13,further comprising: a digital printing device including a scanner toscan the developed film and a printing an output format of imagescaptured on the film; and transfer means for transferring dataidentified from the film to the digital printing device to enableoptimization of scanning and printing.